Suspension device for articles of wearing apparel



S. LUTSKY March 21, 1961 Filed Jan. 27, 1959 FIG. I

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INVEN TOR.

SIDNEY LUTSKY Patented Mar. 21, 1951 SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR ARTICLES F WEARING APPAREL Sidney Lutsky, 1490 Goodbar Ave, Memphis, Tenn.

Filed Jan. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 789,301

7 Claims. (Cl. 223-.91)

This invention relates to a suspension device for supporting articles of wearing apparel in closets and the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a clothes suspension device which gives firmer support for the clothes and in which there is less sidewise movement of the clothes than in previous devices of this type.

A further object is to provide a clothes suspension device which is compact, strong, eflicient in operation, and easy to install in a closet.

A further object is to provide such a device which will hold the clothes in line and prevent any twisting or turning of the clothes.

A further object is to provide in such a device a clothes hanger which is formed of one continuous piece and has no hooks or points to catch on clothing or the like.

A further object is to provide such a hanger which is convenient to handle and which is easy to attach and detach from the other part of the device.

A further object is to provide unique supporting means for such a hanger which may be used either to support the hanger or support clothing without a hanger.

A further object is to provide means for preventing slipping of trousers on the hanger.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of suspension devices for articles of wearing apparel.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention shown installed in a closet with only a fragmentary and sectional portion of the closet being shown and with parts of the device broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line IIIIII'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front view of one of the hangers per se.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the hanger.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the clamping rods of the device of Fig. 5 shown with a fragmentary part of a pair of trousers disposed therebetween.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and showing one of the clamps clampingly holding the clamping rods together.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the suspension device 11 of the present invention includes a housing 13 adapted to be supported adjacent the opposite ends thereof from a supporting structure as the side walls 15 of a closet 17 or the like. Housing 13 is preferably supported in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 3, wherein it will be seen 19 of the closet by the usual boards 21 which are attached to the respective side walls 15, as by nails or the like, to support shelf 19. The preferable means of supporting housing 13 is by providing a rectangular notch 23 in the upper edge of each of boards 21. With shelf 19 removed, the opposite ends of housing 13 are placed in notches 23 and then the shelf replaced to hold the housing in place. It will be understood that the length of housing 13 is only slightly less than the width of the closet between side walls 15 so that the housing will be supported from the ledges 25 which define the lower edge of notches 23.

Housing 13 includes a top 27, a pair of spaced depending sides 29 respectively integrally formed adjacent the side edges of top 27 and depending therefrom, a pair of flanges 31 respectively integrally formed with sides 29 adjacent the lower edges of the sides and inwardly extending towards one another to establish tracks 32 on the upper surfaces thereof, and a pair of lips 33 respectively integrally formed with flanges 31 adjacent the inner edges thereof and upwardly extending therefrom for a short distance. Lips 33 are disposed in spaced parallel relationship to provide an elongated slot 35 extending the length of housing 13 adjacent the middle portion of the under side thereof. A plurality of carriages 37 are supported from housing 13. Each of carriages 37 includes a spindle 39 and a pair of spaced wheels 41 rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite ends of spindle 39, which wheels respectively engage tracks 32 to rollingly support the carriage from housing 13. From the foregoing, it will be understood that lips 33 prevent substantial sidewise movement of carriages 37 and prevent Wheels 41 from accidentally leaving tracks 32.

A support member 43 is suspended from spindle 39 intermediate the ends thereof. Support member 43 includes a depending neck portion 45 and a transversely extending hook 47 integrally formed adjacent the lower end of neck portion 45 and laterally extending to either side thereof. Neck portion 45 extends downwardly through slot 35 so that hook 47 is disposed below housing 13 as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The means for suspending support member 43 from spindle 39 is preferably by looping the upper end of neck portion 45 over spindle 39 to form a barrel-like eyelet 49, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Hook 47 is transversely elongated, i.e., along a direction to the left and right as viewed in Fig. 2. Hook 47, as viewed from the side as in Fig. 1, is formed as follows: From the lower end of neck portion 45 the hook extends first rearwardly to provide a ledge 51, thence circles downwardly and forwardly to provide a cradle-like portion 53, and finally extends upwardly adjacent its forward edge as at 55 in spaced relationship with neck portion 45 to provide an upwardly opening and transversely elongated mouth portion 57.

Suspension device 11 additionally includes a hanger with the preferred form thereof beingbest shown in Fig. 4 as hanger 59. Hanger 59 includes an upper horizontal rod 61 which is smaller than mouth portion 57 so that it is adapted to pass therethrough. A pair ofside rods 63 are respectively integrally formed with the opposite ends of the upper horizontal rod 61 and slope substantially outwardly and downwardly therefrom. A lower horizontal rod 65 is spaced below upper horizontal rod 61 and integrally formed adjacent the opposite ends thereof with side rods 63 adjacent the lower ends of the side rods. Thus, from the foregoing, it will be understood that hanger 59 is formed in one single continuous piece. Side rods 63 are preferably bowed inwardly as at 67 sothat the side rods conform to the general outline of a persons- 59 is removably hung in hook 47 with upper horizontal rod 61 removably supported in cradle-like portion 53, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The width of upper horizontal rod 61 is only. slightly greater than the width of hook 47, as best seen in Fig. 2, whereupon the hanger will be held against sidewise movement, i.e., to the right and left as viewed in Fig. 2, since the side rods 63 engage the side edges of the hook to prevent such sidewise movement. With the hanger 59 disposed in hook 47 as above described, it will be understood that the hanger is stationarily held against rotation about an axis normal to the upper horizontal rod 61. Thus, the advantage of the present invention over the well-known type of clothes hanger which includes a hook adjacent the upper end will be apparent since, with a hook type of clothes hanger, the clothes could swing sidewise and become twisted. Also, it will be understood that with the hangers of the present invention there is no possibility of the hangers becoming entangled, interlocked, or overlapped, as frequently occurs with hangers having hooks. Additionally, it will be understood that, with the present hanger having no hooks or the like, there is no danger of snagging or other dangers inherent in hook type of clothes hangers. In addition, it is apparent that hanger 59 may be quickly, easily, and conveniently removed from or placed in hook 47 by allowing the upper horizontal rod 61 to pass through mouth portion 57. Further, it will be seen that support member 43 may be conveniently used as a hanging device with out hanger 59. Thus, a coat or the like may be hung from the back of support member 43 by placing the 'neck of the coat over ledge 51.

An alternate form of the hanger is best shown in Fig. 5 and is designated as hanger 69. Hanger 69 is identical in all respects to hanger 59 with the exception of the lower horizontal portion. Thus, like hanger 59, hanger 69 is provided with an upper horizontal rod 61 and side rods 63 which are bowed in as at 67. However, instead of the lower horizontal rod 65 of hanger 59, hanger 69 is provided with a first clamping rod 71 which is integrally formed with one of side rods 63 adjacent the lower end of the side rod and extends inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to upper horizontal rod 61 and a second clamping rod 73 which is integrally formed with the other of side rods 6-3 adjacent the lower end thereof and extends inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the first clamping rod and in spaced overlapping relationship therewith whereby clamping rods 71, 73 are adapted to receive two legs 75 of a pair of trousers therebetween. The trouser legs 75 are preferably turned outwardly and over the opposite clamping rods 71, 73 as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, so that the trouser legs will be held apart for better airing. It will be understood that the overlapping of clamping rods 71, 73 should be greater than the width of the trouser legs 75. At the distal end of each of clamping rods 71, 73 is mounted a clamp 77. Each of clamps 77 is rotatably mounted about its associated clamping rod as by a cylindrical portion 78 encircling the rod and is provided with a hook portion '79 adjacent the distal end thereof so that the clamp may be rotated and the hook portion engaged over the opposite clamping rod in the manner as shown in Fig. 7 to clampingly hold the trouser legs 75 to prevent any slipping thereof. To release the clamp, it will be understood that the user simply pushes upwardly on hook portion 79 to rotate the clamp '77 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 7, whereupon the trousers may be removed.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim:

1. In a suspension device for supporting clothes and the like, a support member including a depending neck portion and a transversely extending hook integrally formed adjacent the lower end of said neck portion, said hook being transversely elongated with the transverse width thereof being substantially greater than the vertical length thereof, and said hook extending first rearwardly to provide a ledge for hanging clothes thereon, thence circling downwardly and forwardly to provide a cradlelike portion on the upper surface thereof and finally extending upwardly adjacent its forward edge in spaced relationship with said neck portion; an upper horizontal rod removably received in said cradle-like portion, said upper horizontal rod being stationarily held by said cradle-like portion against rotation about an axis normal to said upper horizontal rod, a pair of side rods respectively integrally formed with the opposite ends of said upper horizontal rod and sloping substantially outwardly and downwardly therefrom, said upper rod being substantially straight between said side rods, a first clamping rod integrally formed with one of said side rods adjacent the lower end thereof and extending inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said upper horizontal bar, a second clamping rod integrally formed with the other of said side rods adjacent the lower end thereof and extending inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said first clamping rod and in spaced overlapping relationship therewith whereby being adapted to receive a pair of trousers therebetween, a pair of clamps respectively mounted from said first and second clamping rods adjacent the distal ends thereof, said pair of clamps being arranged to hook over a portion of the opposite clamping rod to clamp the two clamping rods together for holding a pair of trousers therebetween.

2. In a suspension device for supporting clothes and the like, a support member including a depending neck portion and a transversely extending hook integrally formed adjacent the lower end of said neck portion, said book being transversely elongated with the transverse width thereof being substantially greater than the vertical length thereof and said hook extending first rearwardly to provide a ledge for hanging clothes thereon, thence circling downwardly-and forwardly to provide a cradlelike portion and finally extending upwardly adjacent its forward edge in spaced relationship with said neck portion; an upper horizontal rod removably received in said cradle-like portion, said upper horizontal rod being stationarily held by said cradle-like portion against rotation about an axis normal to said upper horizontal rod, a pair of side rods respectively integrally formed with the opposite ends of said upper horizontal rod and sloping substantially outwardly and downwardly therefrom, said upper rod being substantially straight between said side rods, and a lower horizontal rod spaced below said upper horizontal rod and integrally formed adjacent the opposite ends thereof respectively with said side rods adjacent the lower ends of the side rods thereby providing means for hanging trousers and the like.

3. In a suspension device for supporting clothes and the like, a support member including a depending neck portion and a transversely extending hook integrally formed adjacent the lower end of said neck portion, said hook being transversely elongated with the transverse width thereof being substantially greater than the vertical length thereof, and said hook extending first rearwardly to provide a ledge for hanging clothes thereon, thence circling downwardly and forwardly to provide a cradlelike portion and finally extending upwardly adjacent its forward edge in spaced relationship with said neck portion; a clothes hanger including an upper horizontal rod removably received in said cradle-like portion to support the hanger and being stationarily held thereby against rotation about an axis normal to said upper horizontal rod, said clothes hanger additionally including side rods respectively attached to opposite ends of said horizontal rod and downwardly sloping therefrom, said horizontal rod being substantially straight between said side rods.

4. In a suspension device for supporting clothes and the like, a support member including 21 depending neck portion and a transversely elongated cradle-like hook integrally formed adjacent the lower end of said neck portion adapted to hold ties and the like, said hook being provided with a ledge on the rearward side thereof adapted to hold clothes and the like, said hook having a transverse width substantially greater than the vertical length thereof, a clothes hanger including an upper horizontal rod removably received in said hook portion to support the hanger and being stationarily held thereby against rotation about an axis normal to said upper horizontal rod.

5. A clothes hanger comprising an upper horizontal rod, a pair of downwardly sloping side rods respectively integrally formed with the opposite ends of said horizontal rod, said upper horizontal rod being substantially straight between said side rods, said upper horizontal rod being unobstructed along the length thereof and being unattached except at the opposite ends thereof to said side rods, a first clamping rod integrally formed with one of said side rods adjacent the lower end thereof and extending inwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said upper horizontal rod, a second clamping rod integrally formed with the other of said side rods adjacent the lower end thereof 6. A clothes hanger comprising an upper horizontal rod, a pair of side rods respectively integrally formed with the opposite ends of said upper horizontal rod and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, said upper horizontal rod being substantially straight between said pair of side rods, said upper horizontal rod being unobstructed along the length thereof and being unattached except at the opposite ends thereof to said side rods, a lower horizontal rod spaced below said upper horizontal rod and integrally formed adjacent the opposite ends thereof respectively with said side rods adjacent the lower ends of the side rods to provide a hanger formed in one continuous piece.

7. In a clothes suspension device, a support member including a depending neck portion and a transversely elongated cradle-like hook integrally formed adjacent the lower end of said neck portion, and a clothes hanger including an upper horizontal rod removably received in said hook portion to support the hanger and being stationarily held thereby against rotation about an axis normal to said upper horizontal rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 703,173 Bolz June 24, 1902 769,024 Ryan Aug. 30, 1904 952,646 Smith Mar. 22, 1910 1,266,358 Videgaray May 14, 1918 1,274,534 Guernsey Aug. 6, 1918 2,117,178 Klein May 10, 1938 2,7l5,966 Tieck Aug. 23, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 317,823 Switzerland Jan. 31, 1957 

